The dictionary definition for the word ‘inconsistency’ reads: ‘The state or quality of not being in agreement or harmony; incompatible.’

However, when it comes to Binghamton University, ‘inconsistency’ simply screams women’s basketball. The Bearcats (0-2) stumbled into the First Arena in Elmira on Saturday, dropping their second straight game of the season, surrendering to St. Bonaventure 58-53. An abysmal performance in the first half and a great free-throw run by the Bonnies in the second half cost the Bearcats the game.

Interestingly enough, the game at Elmira was intended to be a tournament that ended up a as a one-on-one match between the Bonnies (4-0) and the Bearcats when two of the schools dropped out. Nonetheless, the neutral site didn’t seem to provide any extra edge for the Bearcats. The team came out flat in the first half, grabbing only 16 points.

‘We just didn’t have any strength,’ said BU head coach Rich Conover. ‘Our defense was poor and we failed to perform as a team, [and] it showed at the end of the first-half.’

The Bearcats were only getting 26 percent of their shots in compared to St. Bonaventure’s 43 percent, and converted on no 3-pointers. The Bonnies were just one point shy from doubling the Bearcats’ first-half score.

Something seemed to have clicked into place in the second half for the Bearcats. The Bonnies seemed to be playing a totally new team.

‘We came out much better in the second half,’ Conover said. ‘I was happy to see us pick it up.’

Binghamton outscored St. Bonaventure 37-27 in the final 20 minutes, which included a 19-7 run to begin the last half that slashed the Bonnie lead to 43-39 with less than seven minutes remaining.

In the last remaining minutes the Bonnies saw a 10-point lead drop to four again. SBU increased the gap to seven with about two minutes remaining, but the Bearcats answered back and pulled within five. With the help of 13 free throws and a decisive 3-pointer made by St. Bonaventure’s Katelyn Murray, the Bonnies clinched the game.

There was a great effort made by Bearcat senior Laura Sario who had the team high of 13 points and five rebounds. Freshman Jackie Ward and sophomore Erica Carter also showed their colors on the court and helped to accelerate the Bearcats’ second-half spurt.

St. Bonaventure sophomore Dana Mitchell reached double digits for the fourth consecutive game with a season-high of 22 points. Bonnie Murray added 15 points, which included a crucial 3-point shot in the last two minutes of the game. Erica Schiefen also played well with eight points and a game-best of seven rebounds in 36 minutes.

According to Conover, the goal of the team now is to further build its consistency and work together to ‘get everyone on the same page.’ He said he is confident that as the season progresses his team will be able to play with the same intensity the whole game.

The Bearcats hope to break their dry spell in Buffalo when they face Canisius at 7 p.m. tonight. The team plays Sacred Heart on Nov. 25 before returning to the Events Center to play Bucknell on Nov. 28.